Several Dead in Bridge Collapse at FIUFlorida Highway Patrol Lt. Alejandro Camacho told CBS News there were "several fatalities." Mar 15, 2018A new pedestrian bridge under construction near the campus of Florida International University collapsed March 15. The falling bridge crushed at least five cars, and Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Alejandro Camacho told CBS News there were "several fatalities." According to NBC Miami, a total of five patients have been treated by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue so far, with one transported as a trauma alert to Kendall Regional Hospital. The hospital has established an incident command center in anticipation of treating more patients. The bridge was lifted off its temporary support and placed in its permanent position above a seven-lane road on Saturday, NBC news reported. Reportedly, two workers were replacing something on the side of the bridge when it collapsed. The bridge, which cost $14.2 million, was constructed using a method called accelerated bridge construction, meant to reduce potential risks to workers, commuters, and pedestrians as well as prevent traffic problems in the area, CBS News reported. It was scheduled to open in early 2019.